COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

P. Kumar, Shalini Malhotra, Nirmaljit Kaur, Nandini Duggal and Manjeet Singh Bhatia*

ABSTRACT

In the past few years, two coronavirus epidemics have occurred, which are SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. COVID-19 (Corona virus disease-2019) is a disease caused by novel Coronavirus i.e. SARS CoV2. It is called novel because this strain of corona virus does not match with the previously identified Coronavirus strains. On January 30, 2020 the outbreak was declared by the WHO as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Coronaviruses spread by coughing, sneezing and close personal contact (Human to human transmission). It can present as a mild illness, Pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). It can cause psychological problems like fear or phobia, acute stress reaction, chronic stress, anxiety, depression and even precipitation of existing illnesses. The problems may also arise due to caregivers or family burden. Health workers may also suffer from chronic stress, depression or burnout. The psychosocial problems which are going to arise after pandemic is over will put a new challenge to mental health workers. The problems will be peculiar due to loss of job or unemployment, financial stresses, malnutrition, appearance of medical illnesses (like obesity, metabolic syndrome etc.), career related issues among students, isolation and quarantine.

Keywords: In the past few years, two coronavirus epidemics have occurred, which are SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. COVID-19 (Corona virus disease-2019) is a disease caused by novel Coronavirus i.e. SARS CoV2. It is called novel because this strain of corona virus does not